In the wake of child sexual abuse reports out of Pennsylvania, and in regard to the conduct of then-Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, formerly of the Archdiocese of Washington, The Monitor is committed to sharing with our readers news and developments as the Church works to address these concerns. We will post links to all new reports in this space to give our readers more direct access to this content.More ...Sunday, October 14, 2018

WASHINGTON –The chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs is inviting all to celebrate the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which takes place Jan. 18-25.More ...Friday, January 18, 2019

WASHINGTON – The conclusion reached by a Pennsylvania grand jury that six of the state's Catholic dioceses acted "in virtual lockstep" to cover up abuse allegations and dismiss alleged victims over a 70-year period starting in 1947 is "inaccurate," "unfair" and "misleading," said a veteran journalist in an in-depth article for Commonweal magazine.More ...Tuesday, January 15, 2019

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of three women and recognized the martyrdom of 14 religious sisters who were killed during the Spanish Civil War.More ...Tuesday, January 15, 2019

WASHINGTON – Bishop Joseph Vásquez, of Austin, Texas, Chairman of the Committee on Migration issued the following statement calling for President Trump and Congressional leaders to create a border solution and end the government shut-down. More ...Thursday, January 10, 2019

WASHINGTON – At the invitation of Pope Francis, the U.S. Catholic bishops are gathering Jan. 2-8 for a closed-door retreat at Mundelein Seminary near Chicago, where they will be discussing the theme of Christ's commission of the 12 apostles and the apostolic mandate.More ...Thursday, January 3, 2019

VATICAN CITY – The surprising news in November that the Vatican had asked U.S. bishops not to vote on several proposals for responding to the sexual abuse crisis was motivated by a lack of time given the Vatican to study the proposals and potential conflicts with Church law, according to a letter obtained by the Associated Press.More ...Wednesday, January 2, 2019

VATICAN CITY – The end of one year and beginning of next naturally leads people to think about the passing of time and about love, which gives time – and everything else – real meaning, Pope Francis said. More ...Monday, December 31, 2018

WASHINGTON – Catholic bishops from across the United States will begin the new year taking part in a spiritual retreat for seven days at Mundelein Seminary Jan. 2 to 8. Preacher to the Papal Household, Capuchin Friar Father Raniero Cantalamessa, will direct the retreat under the theme of “He appointed Twelve, to be with Him and to Send Out to Preach” based on Mark 3:14.More ...Sunday, December 30, 2018

WASHINGTON – James Grein, a Virginia man who said Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick, former archbishop of Washington, sexually abused him for years beginning when he was 11, gave his testimony about what occurred Dec. 27 before a judicial vicar for the New York Archdiocese.More ...Sunday, December 30, 2018

VATICAN CITY – Before traveling to Rome for a major Vatican summit on the clerical sex abuse crisis and child protection, each participating bishop should meet with survivors of abuse, said the committee organizing the meeting.More ...Sunday, December 30, 2018

Bringing peace is central to the mission of Christ’s disciples. That peace is offered to all those men and women who long for peace amid the tragedies and violence that mark human history.More ...Friday, December 28, 2018

VATICAN CITY – Just before Christmas the Vatican announced it had opened a new medical clinic for the homeless and the poor, expanding services previously offered in a small space just outside St. Peter's Square.More ...Thursday, December 27, 2018

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ annual "9 Days for Life" prayer and action campaign will run Jan. 14 to Jan. 22. The overarching intention of the novena is that all human life will be respected. Each day of the "9 Days for Life" novena highlights a different intention and is accompanied by a short reflection, suggested actions and related information.More ...Thursday, December 20, 2018

WASHINGTON – The nation's criminal justice system "is in need of reform" and the First Step Act "is a worthy 'first step' in the right direction," said Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development.More ...Thursday, December 20, 2018

VATICAN CITY – In the technology support department at the Vatican Museums, Villanova University student Justin Myers is spending a semester creating virtual tours of galleries, part of a larger project to make the museums accessible to everyone.More ...Wednesday, December 19, 2018

VATICAN CITY – If the Holy Family lived in Rome and the baby Jesus had a cold or flu, Mary and Joseph certainly would bring him to the Vatican pediatric clinic for help, Pope Francis said.More ...Tuesday, December 18, 2018

The Roman Catholic Bishops of New Jersey announced today their decision to retain Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille Biros to design, implement and administer a statewide Victims Compensation Program for the submission, evaluation, and settlement of individual claims of sexual abuse of a minor.